Doncaster Barry Richardson Simon Marples Dean Barrick Jamie Squires Barry Miller Jimmy Kelly Francis Tierney Gareth Owen Paul Barnes Neil Campbell Jamie Paterson Substitutes Andy Warrington Tristan Whitman Jamie Price Mark Sale Andy Watson

Goals     Stats 13 Goal Attempts 5 7 On Target 2 6 Off Target 1 0 Hit Woodwork 2 8 Corners 7 Cards Yellow Paterson Goodwin Campbell Stein   Heffer   Vickers Red None Goodwin

Dag & Red Tony Roberts Steve Heffer Ashley Vickers Lee Goodwin Mark Smith Danny Hill Mark Janney Danny Shipp Junior McDougald Mark Stein Danny Hayzelden Substitutes Steve McGavin Mark Rooney Mark Brennan Ken Charlery Paul Gothard

We always knew we were going to get a hostile and cynical game at Doncaster after talking to many fans from other clubs, and they didn't disappoint. Within a few minutes of the start of the game, several Doncaster fans decided it would be fun to swear and abuse the away fans who were trying to watch the game. Every single decision against Doncaster, no matter how blantant, was ferociously contested by the fans who tried to intimidate the referee from the start.

Stein had an early long range shot that was without power and easily gathered by the home keeper. At the other end Owen fired over from the edge of the box soon after. Campbell then missed a sitter as a cross from the right was met by him, and as he slid into it he could only scoop it over the bar.

Campbell was in the action again soon after. As he and Goodwin chased a long ball, neither looking at each other, Campbell ran into Goodwin and fell over, Goodwin receiving a yellow card whilst Campbell rolled around in mock agony.

A scramble in the Daggers box was well dealt with by the visiting defence as they blocked two shots before Roberts held the third one which lacked power. Barnes also was foiled by Roberts. Barnes met a left wing cross at the back post and shot goalwards only for Roberts to make himself big and block it.

McDougald had two good chances for the away side though. He met a free kick with a header that a diving Richardson put round the post, and soon after, found himself free in the box and lashed a shot against the outside of the post and wide.

Stein then hit the post for the visitors. His shot beat the home keeper but hit the post before trickling along the goal-line and rolling out for a goalkick. At the other end Paterson's shot from the edge of the box was saved by Roberts.

As half-time neared, two rather unsavoury incidents occured. Roberts caught a cross before Campbell barged into him and Roberts dropped the ball out for a corner. Roberts turned to confront Campbell, and controlled himself well enough not to lash out. Several Doncaster players were not pleased that their player was being critisized by Roberts and ran to help. Several Daggers followed suit. A mass brawl enused in which Barnes tried to punch Vickers and missed, the referee not even watching. Campbell was also trying to heat it up before being led away by Roberts. Somehow the referee decided Vickers should be booked, presumably for not allowing Barnes to punch him. The main offenders got off without so much as a word, the referee failing to cool the situation.

Soon after, Campbell, who had been pushing people about all day, again barged into Roberts who managed to hold the ball this time. After the referee had blown for this foul, Roberts put the ball down as several Daggers rushed to confront Campbell, probably having had enough of his play-acting and unsporting behaviour. Another ruck enused as Doncaster players ran to get involved. Campbell was pulled out of the melee by Shipp, and decided it was best to do some more acting, going down holding his face despite the fact that Shipp pulled him out by the waist. Campbell was booked for the original incident but nothing was done about the acting.

The end of the half was eventually played out, but not until Campbell had got Goodwin sent off. As Goodwin jumped for a header, Campbell stayed on the ground and made a back for the Daggers defender. Goodwin could do nothing as Campbell went down, who seemed to be developing an affection for the floor, falling onto it at every opportunity. Goodwin was again booked and so was sent off.

As the players left the field, Doncaster fans flooded towards the tunnel to hurl abuse at the away side. That was not the only incident at half time though. The home mascot, riding a motorbike, paraded around the pitch. As he came past the away support he stopped and kissed his Doncaster shirt, and cupped his hand to his ear and encouraged the fans as they threw abuse at him. If that wasn't enough, he did another lap and did the same thing, refusing to drive away even when told by the head steward.

At half-time, Campbell went off and hey-presto, the match became one of football rather than wrestling. The Daggers also made a change, Rooney coming on for Janney to fill the hole left by Goodwin.

The away side were under pressure for most of the half and Roberts was outstanding. His saved, catching, kicking and command were superb, inspiring the defence in front of him to frustrate the home side to long shots from the edge of the box and further.

Despite restricting Doncaster to few shots in the first quarter of an hour, they home side soon got into their stride and played some nice football which they hadn't done in the first half.

Sale had a volley from long range caught easily by Roberts near the start of the half, and Paterson shot wide from the edge of the box. Paterson, at the forefront of all Doncaster's good play, crossed for Sale who headed wide.

Stein almost stole a goal on the break as McDougald got the flick on for him, and he was given a suspicious offside decision with only the keeper to beat.

Roberts had to be quick off his line at the other end though, as he smothered a shot from 12 yards for the home side. He made superb save to keep the Daggers in it when Watson came off the bench and found himself free in the area, Roberts getting down expertly to tip it round the post.

Watson was again foiled as Roberts caught his shot from the side of the box. Sale then shot across the goal from the edge of the box and it went just wide, but Owen wasted the best chance.

Free in the box, he turned and scuffed his shot from 12 yards wide of the post. As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, Doncaster seemed to give up after their pressure had yielded no goals, and the Daggers could play the game out to clinch a point.